Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Trivia: Many of the sets used in this film were left over from 1964's BECKET

The Masque of the Red Death is yet another entry in director Roger Corman's series of films based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, with Vincent Price once again returning to play the lead. Yet despite the familiar territory he was working in, the part of Prince Prospero was a departure of sorts for Price, who, in earlier Poe films such as The Pit and the Pendulum and The Fall of the House of Usher, portrayed the tortured soul, the pitiful man who saw gloom and doom hiding around every corner. In The Masque of the Red Death, Price's Prospero is entirely evil, affording the great actor a chance to prove to the world he was just as brilliant being bad as he was being depressed.

Prince Prospero is the tyrannical ruler of a land being overrun by a deadly disease, one the locals refer to as the "Red Death". Offering a safe haven from the Red Death, Prospero invites every nobleman in the kingdom to stay with him in his castle, where they can wait out the illness while attending an extravagant masquerade ball. Along with the nobility, Prospero also invites a beautiful peasant girl named Francesca (Jane Asher), whose father (Nigel Green) and sweetheart (David Weston) are imprisoned in his dungeon. But things aren't necessarily as they seem, and Prospero, who also happens to be a disciple of Satan, may have ulterior motives for allowing so many into his home at one time.

A devil worshiper with a sharp, sarcastic tongue, Prospero is a very, very bad man, and we learn just how bad in the film's opening scene, where he pays a visit to a local village. Shortly after arriving, Prospero is insulted by two peasants, and promptly orders his guards to put them both to death. Just then, Francesca, who lives in this village, runs forward and pleads for their lives, begging Prospero to show mercy. Prospero, sensing he might have a bit of fun at Francesca's expense, says he will spare only one, and that she must choose which of the two will live, and which one will die. As it turns out, one of the men is Francesca's father, the other her lover, making it a near-impossible decision. To further complicate the matter, if she refuses to choose, then both will die. It's almost at this exact moment the Red Death is discovered in the village, causing Prospero to cut his stay short. Hoping to continue his little game later that evening, he orders his men to bring Francesca and the other two back to his castle, then instructs the soldiers to burn the village to the ground, leaving dozens of men, women and children to watch as their entire world goes up in flames. It's a fine introduction to a truly sinister character, one whose vicious nature has yet to be revealed in its entirety.

You can always rely on the Corman-directed Poe films to have lush wardrobes, detailed set pieces, and an impressive atmosphere, and The Masque of the Red Death is no exception. These, combined with a deliciously menacing performance by the great Vincent Price, make The Masque of the Red Death an elaborate entry in an entertaining series.

@George: Thanks so much. This was one of the shows where we were able to hit the max # of recommendations, which is great (though, to be fair, not everyone was recommending 11!). Hopefully, it'll give people something to watch as they wait for the next show!

We're so glad you enjoyed the show, and we thank you for the high praise. It's the reaction of fans such as yourself and everyone else I've heard from this morning that really makes the show so much fun to do.

You 'n Bill Chete play off of each other very well. Perfect chemistry and Bill Chete is a stunning host. On his own this episode and he doesn't waver, straight to the point style is captivating with a mesmerizing style that draws me into listening into every spoken work.

Your DVD this week with Vincent is without a doubt a movie I will surely enjoy. Never heard of it and will be buying it.

@Sheila: Thanks so much for the compliment, and I couldn't agree with you more: Billchete is a tremendous host, and when it comes to expressing his opinion, he never worries about being "on his own"...he sticks by his guns! I'll be sure to pass your comment along to him as well.

As for MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, I do hope you enjoy it. After you get a chance to see it, please be sure to stop back and let me know what you think!

The HorrorJungle pod is incredible. Remarkable how "8" people get there points across and guide us listeners on good horror movies in there chosen category. What an accomplishment.Buddy "The Rack" Stark

WTG on the jungle cast it's a super horror movie cast. Only one that young girl is CRAZILY out of place. She does NOT mix well with the strong opinionated views of the other hosts. Her analogies are ANNOYING.

@René: Thanks so much for stopping by, and we're glad you enjoy the show!

Your idea of choosing 4 films each show sounds like an intriguing one, and I wish you all the best with it. Please feel free to stop back here and leave a comment as to what you thought of each film you chose. I'm sure everyone associated with the show would love to hear your feedback!

Thanks for the compliments (they are much appreiciated), and for listening to Horror Jungle.

i think that bloodylizzy chick is your new gregamortis drshock. while she doesnt flipflop she is annoying with that minimouse voice what she talking on a disney mike. dead girl thriller? she off her rocker. blue velvet horror? 1 on prowler? outside her amazing horror podcast the best in the business my friend.bloomburg

@Cody: Thanks so much for all the compliments! I know I'm personally humbled by your kind words, and I'm sure the other hosts will be as well. I'll be sure to pass this along to all of them! We certainly appreciate your support, and thanks very much for listening.

@bloomburg: I thank you for stopping by, and for your honest feedback. Thanks so very much for listening, and we're glad that, for the most part, you're enjoying the show!

Hello this is Jason lead host of Horrorphilia Podcast and editor of www.horrorphilia.com. Recently an enthusiastic listener of our podcasts emailed me a sample of some of the disparaging remarks made about us. Im not sure if it was done in some forum or on a post like i'm doing but I was deeply disturbed by what I read. We at Horrorphilia have been nothing but gracious and supportive of Billchete and yet he accuses of us leaving negative anonymous comments. I thought he was a geniune friend but im disappointed that he would stoop this low and spread these rumors about us. He was a guest on our episode #27 http://www.horrorphilia.com/2010/02/03/horrorphilia-podcast-episode-27/ and we made a special invitation to have him guest host with us on our 50th show reviewing the entire Friday the 13 th franchise http://www.horrorphilia.com/2010/10/22/horrorphilia-podcast-50-friday-the-13th/ (providing links for proof) Also when he disbanded The Horror Movie Show we graciously invited his cohost Zach aka Dr. Horror to join our ranks. It just saddens me that it has come to vicious rumors being spread in the horror podcasting community. Yall are doing your thing tapping into the family friendly market and we are doing our thing on the "seedy" side of podcasting. Theres enough room for all types of podcasting and I wish we could just all come together to celebrate this great genre known as horror, instead of coming to low blows. Since I wasnt part of the original thread I just wanted to defend us and throw in my two cents. Horror till the end my friend.

You men are simply the best horror podcast out there. You have 1-upped Planet Macabre with Horror Jungle. The revamped format and new faces (or should I say voices) are refreshing and I like the addition of Netflix. For those reasons you deserve high marks.

drshock that dumb bitch bloodylizzy responded to my comment finally after a whole day passed and rejected my claim about deadgirl being a thriller. it is a brutal zombie rape film and if that fucking coward cant fess up to it grinds me gears. well technically halloween is a fucking thriller isnt it. 1st pick not horror 2nd pick not thriller 3rd pick will probably be a dam love story i guess. she must be on some of that good shit. i refuse to visit her new website and will stick with you drshock.your friend bloomburg

@Anonymous: Masque of the Red Death is definitely interesting, and I thank you for the compliment. If you get a chance to watch it, please be sure to stop back and let us know what you thought of it. I would be very interested to know!

@Jason: I thank you for stopping by. In truth, many of the initial negative comments were started by your fan (questioning Billchete's honesty with the number of listeners Planet Macabre received). Also, Billchete himself was never part of the conversation, and left no comments. All were left by myself or others. He was never once involved.

You are absolutely correct in that there is plenty of room in the Horror Podcasting community for many different viewpoints, as well as many different styles. We would also be very happy to move beyond this for the sake of promoting the horror genre. I thank you once again for stopping by, and wish you nothing but the best in the future.

@Anonymous: Thanks so much! We certainly appreciate the kind words, Glad you're liking the new hosts, and the netflix segment is definitely one of our most popular. Thanks for stopping by, and for listening to Horror Jungle.

@Bloomburg: While I truthfully cannot comment on the movie itself (because I have yet to see Deadgirl), I'm sorry this has gotten you so upset. I thank you for stopping by, and for listening to Horror Jungle.

2 outstanding reviews. I don't know how you guys pull it off but with 8 hosts you would think it would get crasy and disceranable - not the case, quite the opposite in fact. Thrilling podcast and wife factor acceptable!

Dr. Shock, this horror film if I am not mistaken is the lowest rating by you yet. Do you think it is one of those "borderline" movies that is worth watching but not purchasing? Curious because you dropped the "Rent" choice from your ratings.

Thanks bunches and thank the team at Horror Jungle for me for providing us fantastic horror movie choices.

@Delmer: We appreciate the compliment! There are a few elements working to keep things from getting out of hand, and key among them is Billchete as host. He has a way of keeping control that's truly impressive. Glad you're hooked, and thanks for listening.

@Edwin: You're correct in that this week's pick was my lowest rating, though I still think it's worth picking up. Part of that may be because I was comparing it to other entries in the series (I used THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM as an example, a movie I absolutely love and one that would be an easy "9" for me), which perhaps wasn't entirely fair to MASQUE. Despite the lower-than-normal rating, I would recommend picking this film up, if for no other reason that to enjoy Price's deliciously evil turn.

And I'll be sure to pass your thanks along to the other hosts (and thanks to you for listening).

@Anonymous: We're glad you enjoyed the show, and thanks so much for listening!

@Dane: I certainly appreciate, and am humbled by, your kind words, and am very glad you enjoyed the movie (thanks for the link as well...it gives listeners who don't have access to the DVD a chance to see it). I enjoy covering the classics on Horror Jungle, and what makes it so worthwhile is knowing there are listeners like yourself out there who still get a kick out of watching these oft-forgotten films.

Thanks also for the compliment regarding Horror Jungle, and for listening.

Dave, you're so right about Corman's approach to Poe - from luscious sets to Vincent Price. I still think his PIT AND THE PENDULUM is his best, followed by HOUSE OF USHER. A wonderful review as always!